User interface design guidelines for rich applications in the context of cultural heritage data

Advanced interaction techniques are necessary to explore the potential of large data-volume systems. In this context, rich internet application patterns were defined, but usually reduced to the development of social web applications. However, other types of applications, such as data-analysis applications, require also advanced interaction solutions to assist users in making decisions and data-analysis. This paper identifies a set of problems emerged in the interaction between humans and data-analysis applications. We propose a set of guidelines for rich applications as a solution for these problems. As illustrative example of a real data-analysis environment, the paper focuses on a case study in the cultural heritage domain, highlighting the existing interaction problems and how they can be solved through the design guidelines proposed. The set of design guidelines allows to specify interfaces abstractly, creating a repository to solve interaction problems. These guidelines aim to serve as a basis for a future identification of new rich applications design patterns.